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Independent Domestic Violence Advocate

Hours:               37 hours

Contract:           Permanent

Based in central Middlesbrough, My Sisters Place provides specialist services to people who have or are experiencing domestic abuse. We are seeking a full time Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) to work with victims of domestic abuse, to join this dynamic team. Our holistic approach requires high performing individuals with excellent people skills, and a resilient personality to deal with some difficult issues with a strong client focus. Clear adherence to confidentiality and Safeguarding is essential. This is a busy ‘response’ service dependent upon good teamwork and strong multi-agency working offering a challenging and rewarding role if you want to ‘make a difference’ and are committed to our charitable aims.

Purpose of the role:

To provide high quality pro-active service to victims of domestic abuse within a multi-agency framework addressing risk and meeting identified needs.

Specific Responsibilities:

  1. Ensure effective access for domestic abuse survivors and encourage engagement with the service by assessing and responding to referrals, making contact, and completing a telephone or face-to-face assessment where appropriate.
  1. To provide advocacy, support, and advice to service users on safety and practical issues which may include but is not exclusive to, Housing and Tenancy issues, Debt Management, Welfare Rights, Immigration, Legal Protection and access to Employment and Education.
  1. Deliver trauma informed support through robust risk and needs assessment and individual safety and support plans
  1. To comprehensively assess the needs and risk for service users experiencing domestic abuse, carry out risk management, safety planning and support; and identify and refer to services appropriate to their needs.
  1. Provide advice to clients and professionals including responding to repeat referrals where they do not wish to re-engage in services but require brief advice or intervention.
  1. Advise service users of their rights and options for seeking help and support from other agencies, making referrals, coordinating the provision of multi-agency support where necessary, and pro-actively advocate to ensure barriers to accessing support and protection are minimised
  1. Proactively assess the needs and safety of any children that are affected by domestic abuse, ensuring these are addressed directly with the service user and take appropriate action to safeguard them.

Duties of the Post:

  1. Prioritise high risk cases and provide a pro-active, short- medium term crisis intervention service.
  1. Maintain accurate and timely recording of case notes and data collection of referrals received and relevant information and actions.
  1. Initiate, complete and review robust risk/needs assessment and Individual Safety and Support Plans (ISSP) that include delivery of high-quality face to face or telephone crisis intervention, information, advocacy, and support, in respect of criminal and civil remedies, housing, health, welfare rights, children’s legislation and other appropriate interventions.
  1. Safeguard cases by referring to adults and children’s social care and MARAC/MATAC/MAPPA where appropriate or other multi agency safeguarding processes in line with MSP policies and procedures and ensure that relevant cases are sent to Managers for QA and allocation.
  1. Follow up of pending referrals.
  1. Manage a case load ensuring each client receives the appropriate service, individual to their needs.
  1. Attend and participate in multi-agency meetings such as MARAC, MATAC, MAPPA, Child and Adult Safeguarding Meetings to support engagement and advocate for clients.
  1. Work proactively with MARAC, South Tees MACH, and other relevant multi agency approaches to keep the survivor’s perspective and safety at the centre of proceedings, maintain referral routes and increase access and earlier intervention resulting in better results for families.
  1. Support the lead IDVA for MARAC and MATAC in preparation for meetings and completion of actions where appropriate.
  1. Attend the Special Domestic Abuse Court as and when required.
  1. Support service users to secure appropriate protective orders and support with DIY Injunction applications where necessary.
  2. Maintain positive relationships with partner agencies to provide the best outcomes for survivors accessing the centre.
  3. Maintain case records to a high standard and ensure the confidentiality of all survivors accessing the service in line with MSP policies and procedures.
  1. Work proactively to raise awareness and upskill professionals by working with colleagues to successfully develop and deliver training.
  1. Work with Line Managers and Head of Service to ensure case recording and monitoring systems are kept up to date and secure and write internal and external report where required including for safeguarding conferences, meetings, management and others.
  1. Support Managers on the induction of new staff, contributing to induction packs and plans
  1. Support Team Leader and Service Manager in the development and delivery of student placements through learning and development by supporting induction plans, and mentoring where required. 
  1. Attend managerial supervision and participate in annual appraisal and performance by Line manager.
  1. Engage in clinical supervision and reflective practice approaches.
  1. Use appropriate institutional advocacy to maximise positive outcomes and use the appropriate reporting mechanisms to highlight persistent or recurring issues that arise.
  1. To have an awareness of both local and national government legislation and how it impacts on the work of the project and the communities in which the project works.
  1. Comply with data protection legislation, confidentiality and information sharing policy and procedures and all legislation connected to your work.

All employees are subject to enhanced DBS checks prior to commencement of the post

Application process:  

Application form available on My Sisters Place website. Completed applications can be emailed to recruitment@mysistersplace.co.uk

Closing Date: 29th June 2022 at 12 noon

Shortlisting: Week commencing 4th July 2022                      

Interviews: Week of the 11th July 2022

If you would like an informal conversation about the role please contact Lynsey Gibson: lynsey.gibson@mysistersplace.co.uk to arrange a call

We value diversity and promote equality. No terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate against any of the protected characteristics that fall under the Equality Act 2010. We encourage and welcome applications from all sections of society and are more than happy to discuss reasonable adjustments and/or additional arrangements as required to support your application.

Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK.

We do not accept CV’s or applications from recruitment agencies.

Please see our website for Full Recruitment Pack including Person Specification and Application Form.

Contact

Lynsey Gibson
01642 241864
lynsey.gibson@mysistersplace.co.uk

Apply now

The closing date for this job is 29 June 2022 - 12:00pm.